THE EFFECTIVENESS OF THE SPECTRUM IN CHLOROPHYLL FORMATION

1. Although the carotenoid pigments are present in large concentration in the plastids of etiolated Avena seedlings as compared with protochlorophyll, the pigment precursor of chlorophyll, it is possible to show that the carotenoids do not act as filters of the light incident on the plant in the blue region of the spectrum where they absorb heavily. This suggests that the carotenoids are located behind the protochlorophyll molecules in the plastids. 2. Since the carotenoids do not screen and light is necessary for chlorophyll formation, an effectiveness spectrum of protochlorophyll can be obtained which is the reciprocal of the light energy necessary to produce a constant amount of chlorophyll with different wavelengths. The relative effectiveness of sixteen spectral regions in forming chlorophyll was determined. 3. From the effectiveness spectrum, one can conclude that protochlorophyll is a blue-green pigment with major peaks of absorption at 445 mµ, and 645 mµ, and with smaller peaks at 575 and 545 mµ. The blue peak is sharp, narrow, and high, the red peak being broader and shorter. This differs from previous findings where the use of rougher methods indicated that red light was more effective than blue and did not give the position of the peaks of absorption or their relative heights. 4. The protochlorophyll curve is similar to but not identical with chlorophyll. The ratio of the peaks of absorption in the blue as compared to the red is very similar to chlorophyll a, but the position of the peaks resembles chlorophyll b. 5. There is an excellent correspondence between the absorption properties of this "active" protochlorophyll and what is known of the absorption of a chemically known pigment studied in impure extracts of seed coats of the Cucurbitaceae. Conclusive proof of the identity of the two substances awaits chemical purification, but the evidence here favors the view that the pumpkin seed substance, which is chemically chlorophyll a minus two hydrogens, is identical with the precursor of chlorophyll formation found in etiolated plants.     

新鲜蜂王浆和6-BA对水稻种子萌发和离体白菜叶片叶绿素含量的影响

经用１０－３ｇ／Ｌ、１０－２ｇ／Ｌ、１０－１ｇ／Ｌ６ＢＡ和１０－２,１０－１、１ｇ／Ｌ新鲜蜂王浆处理水稻种子和离体白菜叶片后,水稻种子发芽率均高于对照值,其中１０－２ｇ／Ｌ的６ＢＡ和１ｇ／Ｌ的蜂王浆效果最佳。而离体白菜叶片叶绿素含量也比对照高,其中１０－３ｇ／Ｌ的６ＢＡ和１ｇ／Ｌ的蜂王浆效果最佳。１０－２ｇ／Ｌ的６ＢＡ和１０－２ｇ／Ｌ的蜂王浆混合处理白菜叶片,其效果要比单独用６ＢＡ和蜂王浆处理好。     

DIFFERENCES IN LEAF STRUCTURE,CHLOROPHYLL, AND NUTRIENTS FOR THE UNDERSTORY TREE ASIMINA TRILOBA

To investigate differences in leaf structure, chlorophyll and nutrients on terminal branches of the understory tree Asimina triloba, the first (proximal) and the last (distal) leaves to develop in the spring were compared. Proximal leaf expansion was completed before the overstory canopy was fully closed but distal leaf expansion occurred during and after the development of the overstory canopy. Fully expanded proximal leaves were 76% smaller in area, were 18% thicker and had 36% more stomates per m of leaf area when compared to distal leaves. In addition, maximum stomatal conductance to water vapor was greater (150 vs. 120 mmol m^−-2s^−-1) and the minimum PPFD required for maximum conductance was higher (200 vs. 150 μmol m^−-2s^−-1) for the proximal leaves. Chlorophyll content was also greater for proximal leaves, but nitrogen and phosphorus contents were lower throughout the entire summer. Seasonal measurements indicated an increase in chlorophyll a content and reductions in nitrogen content throughout the summer growth period for leaves from both positions. The results suggest that distal and proximal leaves differed physiologically and that the measured differences were related to the changing irradiance environment during leaf development. The time of leaf expansion, as indicated by leaf position on the branch, may be an important consideration when examining the water and photosynthetic relations of understory trees.     

THE DETERMINATION OF CHLOROPHYLL a IN WATER CONTAINING SEDIMENT

SUMMARY

The presence of sediment at concentrations of 0,2% by mass in water samples significantly lowered the amount of chlorophyll a that could be measured. Two types of sediment differed in their ability to lower the chlorophyll a concentration. The chemically more active sediment had a marked depressive effect on the chlorophyll a concentration and the relationship between chlorophyll a and cell numbers in the samples was non-linear. It is recommended that the use of chlorophyll a as an indicator of biomass in water containing sediment should be approached with care.     

叶表皮结构在榆属分类中的应用

本文利用扫描电子显微镜对榆属9种1变种的成熟叶表皮结构进行了观察,认为榆属叶表皮结构在扫描电镜下存在着明显的差别,可以作为榆属分种的辅助特征。     

THE CHLOROPHYLL UNIT IN PHOTOSYNTHESIS

In six species of plants, representing four phyla, the minimum number of chlorophyll molecules present for each molecule of carbon dioxide reduced appears to lie between 2,000 and 3,000. This finding suggests the existence of a chlorophyll unit.     

浮游植物叶绿素与脱镁叶绿素的测定方法

叶绿素含量的测定,早已受到生理学家的重视。在生态学范畴内,浮游藻类的叶绿素含量既是浮游藻类现存量的一个指标,又是推算浮游藻类生产量的重要参量。故生态学家、水产与环境科学工作者,均日益重视叶绿素含量的测定。本文在综合国内外有关资料的基础上,结合作者的工作经验,对浮游藻类的光合色素组成、叶绿素与脱镁叶绿素的测算原理、测算方法作了详细介绍。     

PROTOXYLEM MATURATION IN THE SEEDLING LEAF OF WHEAT

Protoxylem (PX) maturation was followed in vascular bundles of the first foliage leaf (L#1) of wheat seedlings, using clearings and sectioned materials to assess development changes. L#1 contained seven to 11 longitudinal bundles. The seven bundles with largest diameters contained PX vessels, but the number of bundles with PX varied with leaf length. Repeated vessel maturation maintained PX continuity as older vessels collapsed due to leaf extension. Thus, the number of PX vessels in each bundle was also a function of leaf length, and the PX content of a bundle was a function of the stage of leaf development and how soon during leaf development the bundle attained mature PX. Distance from the leaf tip to the start point for PX was greater for bundles later to mature. Thus, the pattern of distal start points in mature leaves reflected the progression of PX maturation from the midrib to bundles of lower rank. It is suggested that the involvement of more and more bundles in PX maturation as the leaf ages is a general occurrence in grass leaves, and that assessing how many bundles will have PX requires observations late in leaf development.